Edward III (1339)

Edward III produced a brief coinage for Ireland in
1339. The style was similar to that of Edward I but with
a star at the beginning of the obverse legend and in the
reverse legend. Only two halfpennies are known but it is
probable that pennies and possibly farthings were also
struck.

A coin of this issue could be easily mistaken for an
Edward I specimen especially if it is in poor condition.

The two known specimens:
1 ) In the National Museum of Ireland
2) Sold in Whytes 'Millennial
Sale' in April 2000 and is believed to be still in
private hands.

Henry VI (1425)

Henry VI produced a small issue of coins for Ireland
in 1425 which is supported by surviving documentation.
These pennies, in Henry's name, have an annulet mint mark
in the obverse field and in the reverse legend. The
annulet issue of Henry VI in England is normally
allocated to 1423-1427 further supporting this allocation.
The three surviving specimens were issued in Dublin which
was the only authorised mint for the issue.

At the time of this issue the currency in Ireland
comprised poor quality English and other foreign coins
which were circulating at considerably below their issue
weight. It this environment it is difficult to see how
any of the full weight new issue could have survived long
in circulation without being heaviliy clipped.

The coins themselves were probably made in London for
export to Ireland rather than actually being struck in
Dublin. All the surviving specimens were found in English
rather than Irish locations. The coinage was certainly
known about by numismatists (e.g. Simon 1746) before any
specimens were known. The coins are of sterling standard.

There are three pennies of this issue known:
1) On the British Museum in London,
2) In the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford,
3) In private hands, recently identified by Patrick Finn
and published in Spinks Numismatic Circular.